Louis Comfort Tiffany, Poul Kjaerholm, Charles Eames and John Bennet in Rare Auld Form at Clarke Auction

    LARCHMONT, NY, April 14, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- During a visit to a Garrison, New York estate, Clarke Auction appraisers looked around and liked what they saw. While the eclectic mix of furniture and art was suitable for auction, it was only after they stood under a gorgeous and rare Tiffany Studios chandelier that the light bulb went on.

Clarke Auction acquired the estimated $60,000 to $80,000 Tiffany Studios masterpiece. The rarity of the chandelier is derived from its large size, and its masterfully crafted "turtleback" top half.

Turtleback glass is pressed from iron molds while it is still extremely hot, then typically cut into smaller rectangular pieces that are banded around a lamp, or in this case, a chandelier. Each piece is cut randomly from the larger pressed iron molds which make each individual piece completely unique in the way that it transmits light. After hanging in the estate for over 30 years, the chandelier's handmade look and utter beauty, both turned on and off, will be the centerpiece of the Larchmont, New York's upcoming April 15, 2012 sale.

Not only does the auction cover one end of the light spectrum in a divine chandelier that emits light, the auction also covers the other end with a pristine and extensive Tiffany & Co. "Chrysanthemum" tea set that reflects it. The Tiffany & Co. tea set is decorated with the most desirable of the Tiffany designs, and includes a tray, a kettle on a stand, a coffee pot, a tea pot, a hot milk vessel, a waste bowl, a lidded sugar bowl, a sauce boat, and a creamer. A shiny, yet conservative, price tag is estimated between $30,000 and $50,000.

Other notable highlights of Tiffany Studios lots include a "Colonial" desk lamp, a patinated lamp base, a patinated standing lamp, an extending patinated bronze ashtray, a "Pine Needle" letter holder, a small desk lamp, a pair of bamboo candlestick holders, a magnifying glass. In addition to the "Chrysanthemum" tea set, Tiffany & Co. sterling lots include a repousse perfume bottle, a medallion serving fork, a sterling cocktail set that includes a martini shaker, and a magnificent ornate lidded tureen. The auction also features a spectacular circa 1940 4 piece Adolph Sper Russian Tea Set with ivory finials and handles.

The Tiffany lots may seem to have the ability to outshine the rest of the lots, but in Clarke Auction's April 15th sale, there are a number of fine art and Midcentury Modern highlights that should give chase to the Tiffany numbers.

The Midcentury Modern selections are quite special in the upcoming sale, particularly for their historical provenance. Numerous lots came directly from the home of the influential Midcentury furniture maker, Jim Eppinger. Eppinger was important to the midcentury furniture era as both manufacturer and witness. The personal ties he had with other famous Midcentury manufacturers provide exceptional provenance for the 14 pieces to be exclusively auctioned at Clarke Auction on April 15th.

The most remarkable pieces from the Eppinger home include a pair of Eames fiberglass rocking chairs, an original Eames rosewood chair and ottoman, and a burl walnut extension dining table.

"The fiberglass rocking chair was a gift from Charlie Eames to my wife," chuckled Eppinger in an interview with Clarke Auction. Also, a gift from the famous Hans Wegner to Eppinger's father was the classic Hans Wegner "Steamboat Chair," which is estimated at $600 to $900.

In regards to his own company's production, which includes the beautiful burl walnut dining table, Eppinger said, "We had no production line; every piece was made to order."

Other highlights in Midcentury Modern from the Eppinger residence include a a pair of vintage Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chairs with ottoman, a Jennings & Co. vintage slot machine, a pair of black lacquered slatted benches, a stainless steel and burl walnut table, 4 leather and stainless steel chairs, a pair of George Nelson swag leg tables, a pair Charles Eames laminate splints, duo Danish wall units, a George Nelson child's desk, a pair of black lacquered armchairs, and a steel cased storage unit.

Additional midcentury highlights include a rare Poul Kjaerholm folding coffee table, a unique modern mirror, a pair of porcelain bowls, a pair of Albe 3 drawer aluminum inlaid chests, a lacquered revolving cocktail table, and many other strong midcentury offerings.

To compliment the furniture, over 30 handmade rugs and carpets are also featured. Highlights include an animal skin possibly giraffe rug, several beautiful center medallion Persian carpets, several Sarouk carpets, a Chinese style rug, a Deco handmade carpet, and numerous others.

Many lots of fine art from European and American artists also illuminate Clark Auction's April 15th sale. From European artists, highlights include an oil on canvas landscape attributed to Andre Derain, an oil portrait of a girl with melon by Marcel Dyf, a graphite on paper entitled "Voiliers Au Port" by Jean Dufy, a Fritz Wagner oil on canvas tavern scene, a signed Francisco Serra oil portrait of a beauty, and an exceptional Old Master oil on canvas of the Madonna with child.

American fine art selections include a brightly colored 1992 Peter Max acrylic on canvas entitled "Heart" from an NYC estate, a circa 1880 John Conway oil on canvas entitled "Garden in Rome" which features the well known artist model and the artist's wife, Agatha Milone Conway, and an important signed bronze male nude by American artist Isidore Kanti.

The upcoming auction will also feature several select Asian pieces. Highlights include a pair of stone seated Lohans, a rock crystal lamp, a beautiful large signed antique embroidered panel, a lot of 3 fluorite lamps, a carved ivory figure with presentation case, a pair of Satsuma porcelain vases, and a red lacquered Asian style cabinet.

Clarke's April 15th auction also includes some impressive lots of jewelry. Among the highlights are a platinum and diamond ring, an art deco engagement ring with solitaire prong, assorted signed costume jewelry, sterling jewelry inlaid with stones, sterling enamel and marcasite jewelry, 14k gold and micro-mosaic, sterling jewelry including two Spratling bracelets, and 2 Piaget watches.

Other unique offerings up for auction are a rare John Bennett art pottery vase, a large C. Faure French enameled vase, a vintage carousel horse, swords, art books, a vintage 1937 Disney Snow White cel, and vintage suitcases and hat boxes, as well as 18th and 19th century antiques including an exquisite 18th century inlaid French armoire, chandeliers & sconces, porcelains, glass, mirrors, clocks, bedroom, living and dining furniture and much more.

Clarke Auction Gallery is located at 2372 Boston Post Road, Larchmont, New York 10538. Phone: 914-833-8336. Auction previews are Friday and Saturday, April 13th and 14th from 12 Noon to 6 PM and Sunday, April 15th, day-of-sale, from 10 AM to 2 PM sale start. View over 400 lots at www.ClarkeNY.com.

To view the video interview with Jim Eppinger in his home go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYhYAYe1Xek.

Clarke Auction of Larchmont, Westchester's Premier Auction, conducts monthly catalogued sales featuring distinctive fine and decorative arts, antiques, exceptional furniture, oriental rugs, sterling silver and mid-century modern. For further information, please contact us at (914)833-8336 or [email protected].

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